RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – When an 11-year head coach steps down, it tends to cause a bit of a stir. The changing of the guard for Santa Margarita girls water polo this summer has been as low-key as possible.

Long-time head coach Kevin Ricks is turning over the head coaching position to former assistant Brian Weathersby.

"What better time to step down than when you're on top," Athletic Director Richard Schaaf said by phone, referencing the league and CIF-SS Division 2 titles that Santa Margarita won last season.

Ricks, who won eight league championships and amassed a 188-114 record as head coach, is not leaving the program completely. He will continue to be the Aquatics Manager and he will take on a new role as Director of Water Polo Operations. In that position he will help oversee the boys and girls programs.

"Kevin and I had been talking for the last year or so about what he sees as far as his future," Schaff said.

Ricks has a background in teaching math and around a month ago the administrators approached him about teaching a couple of classes this year. Ricks was open to returning to the classroom but "there's not enough hours in the day," he said. Raising two young children with his wife in Costa Mesa, Ricks didn't feel like he had time for two positions that required a lot of time outside regular school hours.

With Ricks out as head coach, promoting Weathersby "was kind of a natural thing," Schaaf said.

Weathersby, a former assistant with the El Toro High girls team, SOCAL club program and the Santa Margarita boys, joined Ricks' staff before last season.

"I know that the girls in the program from last season really respected Brian, and they really enjoyed him as a coach," Ricks said. "He's a demanding guy, but they respect him as a coach."

Weathersby played his high school water polo at El Toro before going on to Saddleback College and California Baptist University.

"I think Brian possesses a lot of great qualities that will allow him to be a great head coach," Ricks said. "He has lots of experience and knowledge. I think he'll do a great job, he's played in CIF championships and he has coached in them."

Ricks said his new role as director of operations will not necessarily be about "tactics or reviewing game tape," but all the administrative duties that come with being a head coach, like booking team busses or scheduling games and practice time.

"I'm sure we'll talk about water polo, but I think the biggest challenge for Brian is what hoops to jump through," Ricks said.

Ricks said he sees the new position, at least in year one, as a support role.

A defensive-minded and team-play oriented coach, Weathersby said while he likes Ricks and enjoyed the success they had together, he is excited to "make it to my team, like the way I see that this team should be playing."

There will be high expectations for the Eagles as they attempt to defend both of their titles. The squad will also have two All-Americans returning.

Weathersby did not shy away from any expectations, saying he had already set goals for the team.

"I think by November or December, we'll be in position to make a really good run at a league championship and CIF," Weathersby said.